Guess who turned 3 years old this month! That’s right my little ridgie ridge. It’s funny, you think having a dog, is just having a dog. What I’ve learned is that as Nala has grown up, her personality grows up and matures with her. This year I get comments all the time about “how well behaved she is.” Which totally blows my mind, because I don’t think she listens that well. It’s selective at best, but people make comments about it so it must be true right?
I noticed this year she started getting grey around her snout, and some of her furr on her back has lightened up too. I didn’t know dogs got grey like that? Is it just brown colored dogs or all dogs or what? I also feel like three is so young, like isn’t she 21 in human years that’s too young for grey! My gentle giant looks OLD, which melts my heart. Ridgebacks have an expected lifespan of 9-11 years, so she is still young as far as I’m concerned!
She also learned a new trick this year! She learned “play dead” and it’s hysterical when you tell her to play dead and she struggles to put her head on the floor. She puts her head on the floor then lifts it up, then puts in back down, it’s hysterical!
Of course, she is still my favorite running and walking buddy. Since recovering from my injury flare up the past few months I was reminded why we got Nala in the first place. When the only exercise you can do is walking it’s nice to have someone to walk with. And as I’ve gotten back into run/walks it’s nice to have a running buddy too!
We also went on a ton of hikes this year, especially up the Lost Dutchman which was SUPER fun! I definitely wouldn’t be motivated to go on those trails by myself, but with Nala I was! (Mr. Hungry has a foot injury so he can only hike sometimes, and certain trails.)
Overall she is definitely more laid back than she has ever been. She sleeps most of the day but is always ready to play. She still harasses cat at least three times a day, but unlike when she was a puppy, I don’t worry about it. Having a one-story house has helped with that too because there are no more games of chase up and down the stairs. Missy always keeps one eye on her, even when we are all cuddled up on the couch.
Nala doesn’t sleep in the bed with us, she sleeps in “Nalas bed” on the floor next to the bed. Which is annoying because lately, at least three times a night we have to tell her to go to “Nalas bed.” That’s kind of the one bad thing she does right now, wakes up at random hours of the night and needs to go outside. Mr. Hungry always lets her out because it freaks me out to be outside in the middle of the night. Is this normal? Are we missing something on training the dog to not go outside at night? Yes, we give her a chance to potty right before bed every night.
Nalas current favorite activity is sunbathing and playing at the dog park. We realized at the dog park she is kind of bully, but not intentionally. She likes to run and chase the dogs chasing balls, but has no interest in the balls. The dogs who are chasing the balls, think that’s what she wants, but really she wants to play. So she ends up looking a complete bully but really she just wants to play!
Her favorite food is the same as her mothers (human mother) peanut butter and banana. Dog after my own heart.
Her best friend is a miniature pony we walk past all the time.
Nala almost NEVER barks. ALMOST. If she does bark, I always take it seriously. For instance, she won’t bark at the delivery people, unless they hang around. For instance, when the Amazon people take photos by the front door of the packages she goes “nuts.” It’s crazy because she never barks, but when she does it’s such a low deep bark it always catches my attention.
You guys, I can’t explain it but having a dog has been different than I expected. This year, Nala was there for me so many times on an emotional level that I could not have expected or anticipated. There is just something about someone that is always so happy to see you, whose emotions are so sincere. Even when she gets in trouble for jumping on the counter or whatever, her sadness melts your heart. Someone who loves to cuddle with you as long as you want to cuddle with them. It’s unconditional emotional support and love. Here is to many more long years with our favorite Rhodesian Ridgeback!
More Nala Posts
- Introducing Nala
- 10-12 week update
- 12-14 week update
- 6-month update
- Doggie Steps Training Review
- Nala Overcoming Her Fear Of Water
- Nala Turns 1- Homemade Dog Cookies
- 15 Tips for Running With Your Dog
- Nala Turns 2
Happy birthday Nala!!!! Dogs are the best, my little mogs has been such a support for me over the years. Both he and our old lab lightened up and grayed over the years, but I can’t remember how early it started.
On a side note, Amazon takes pictures of packages in front of your house!?!?
YEAH! So I think they do it because we’ve claimed several packages stolen (they were) and I think they think we are lying. So maybe we are like the tester house, but the weird thing is they don’t do it all the time. Every once in a while the dog will go nuts cuz the person is just standing there and then I get a notification on the ap saying the package has been delivered with a PICTURE of the package. LOL it’s crazy pants!
A dog of her size and age (happy birthday, Nala) should easily be able to make it through the night without having to go outside. Make sure she does her pee before bed, and if it continues, I would suggest a vet visit. Is this a new thing since you guys moved? If so, it could be her way of “acting out” and not being comfortable yet in her surroundings…..
I think you may be onto the “acting out” thing because yes it is a new thing now that I think about it. It started when we were temporarily in the apartment and continued here. We definitely let her out and encourage her to go “potty” before we go to bed but I think she is going number 2 in the middle of the night. She has definitely been kenneled 8 hours before with no issue so I’m not sure what the deal is. Either way, maybe your right a vet visit might be in order maybe they will have some tips!
I can see why a lot are saying your dog is well behaved. Unlike other dogs, your Nala seems so quiet and poised, but just as active outdoors. I’d like to take my dog for a hike at the Lost Dutchman, too, someday. We’d surely look just like the old man with a jackal as seen on the signage there.